STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Not a dumb question at all. I think the only stupid questions are the ones that you refuse to ask.

The nice thing about a trench is that it's a great protection layer between you and the weather. It won't be rain repellent, but unless it's a monsoon, you should stay relatively warm and dry. Trenches are long enough to cover most of you (down to the knees) so you stay pretty dry, as opposed to wearing a shorter jacket. And they're very versatile. You can wear them with jeans or with a dress/skirt. You can always get a rain coat if you want something that won't absorb any water, but I personally think a trench looks much more polished.

I finally found a trench I loved last year and wore it all Spring. The rain and wind didn't come through at all. I think it's an essential part of my wardrobe.

Boots & gossipgirl, thanks!

Yana: If it weren't already obvious to you, I have every intention of carrying an umbrella when it rains. Or maybe it WAS obvious to you, and you felt like stating the obvious anyway thereby attempting (and failing) to be humorous. In any case, I guess I need to state the obvious to YOU and point out that the umbrellas only keep your upper body dry, unless it's just drizzling or you are only in the rain for a minute, in which case I will NOT be since I will be walking two blocks to my office.